Bottom Line:
Comfortable temperatures in the 70s, sunshine, flowers, solitude, old-growth forest, no snow or bugs (at least with the breeze) and fantastic mountain views - good time to hike Kendall Katwalk
Stats:
- Distance: 12.85 miles
- Duration: 4-1/2 hours
- Vertical: 2897 ft
- Weather: sunshine with moderate temperatures, hazy but no smell of smoke; breezy especially near the Katwalk
- Trail: The first 3-1/2 miles of this trail are largely in the forest with some open views into Commonweatlh Basin prior to that turnoff; the trail is beautiful in old growth forest, but somewhat mundane; the Devil's Club blanketing the forest at low elevations is beautiful; less I90 traffic noise than perhaps other hikes in the region (e.g. Bandera); the second 2-1/2 miles is above tree line with flowers and fantastic views abound; the Katwalk itself might be anti-climactic for some; yes, you could easily fall and kill yourself; yes, my mother would never have let us kids cross; yes, I probably should not have filmed a video while walking across it; but the path is wide and obstacle free; I was the only person at the Katwalk and enjoyed the solitude and views for a while; lots of flowers on the trail although never really dense; some flowers have dried out with the recent heatwave, although once you round the corner to the Katwalk they are still in good shape; trail is moderate with no sections that are particularly steep, but quite rocky, and some exposure both at the Katwalk, and before you round the corner to head north towards the Katwalk
- Takeaway: Splendid perch to check out the surrounding mountains, from Red Mt scrambling (I could hear climbers), to Lundin, Snoqualmie Mt, distance Chair Peak over Snow Lake, Mt Stuart, Alta Peak (my fav day hike in the region), and the mountains south across I-90, including Catherine, Silver and of course Rainier; yes, there is some fall color on the trail already (mt ash I think)... oh my goodness, not yet!
I parked at Snoqualmie Summit West, just across I90 in the dirt lot. I figure this spot is less prone to break-ins and does not add significant distance to the hike. Cross the road, walk under the freeway, and join the PCT on the right-hand side of the road. It is a short climb up to the regular trailhead, which looked quite busy, despite how quiet the trail was. New signage about avalanche preparedness during winter travel. Water flow is generally low on the trail, with a few spots to get trickling water early on in the first 2 miles, but pretty dry after that apart from one waterfall on the above tree line scree slope traverse.
Camera only pics today as I decided to keep things light :)
There is quite the area of avalanche damage from this past winter just past the turn off to Commonwealth Basin, with lots of debris, broken trees, etc. There is still snow in the debris despite the relatively low elevation at this point - must have been quite the avalanche! The trail is clear, although there are broken trees overhanging the trail at one point where one might exercise caution for any remaining instability.
Did you see any pika or marmots today; might be still underground riding out that heat wave?
I have attached a short 4K video of the hike from mile 3-1/2 on once you are above tree line, including crossing the Katwalk itself :) The video calls out Alta Mountain in the distance - here is the subsequent trip report for that hike.
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